It’s a big change, having gone from government subsidized museum entrances to whopping $20/entrance fees. In London, it was encouraged that families bring their children to galleries and museums so most museums were free. Here, though some museums are indeed free, the zoos and aquariums aren’t (with good reason I admit). The other day, a bunch of us decided to go to the famous aquarium. We paid around $21 for a concession price. I got out of the aquarium feeling gypped.
I’ll agree that the aquarium was one of the better ones I’ve been to. When you enter, there’s a platypus exhibit. You get to see a baby platypus swim up and down. When they swim up to the surface, it’s as if they have the speed of the rocket, yet glide gracefully straight up. Apparently, the platypus can only be found in Australia. I don’t remember seeing them in any other aquarium before. After, there’s a huge glass wall enclosing a crocodile. The sign next to the glass said, “Be careful. If the fall does not kill you, the crocodile will.” HAHA
My favorite part is the glass tunnel where you’re surrounded by water. Sharks glare at you, fish swim by you, and huge sting rays sleep with their butt towards you. That was indeed the best part of the aquarium. Supposedly, since it’s a tunnel, the fish appeared to be 25% smaller than their actual size. That sleeping sting ray must have been pretty big. At one part, there’s also a touching exhibit where you get to touch starfish. They feel like hollow rocks with a stoney texture. We also were able to catch the feeding of the seals, which was awesome, but other than that, I think $15 for a ticket is even pushing it.
I wouldn’t ever go again, but if I was visiting Sydney, I’d still go. It’s one of those attractions that you have to visit for the sake of visiting it. It is, afterall, one of the top 10 aquariums of the world!
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Posted in Down Under, Sydney, Travels & Adventures
